Vodafone Deal Is Expected
To Spur More Telecom Deals

By

Sara Calian and

Jesse Eisinger Staff Reporters of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Feb. 4, 2000 12:02 a.m. ET

It's open season for European telecommunications mergers and for hostile deals in Germany.

Vodafone AirTouch 's three-month hostile pursuit of Mannesmann , which could lead to a $180.95 billion deal (182.7 billion euros), has increased the possibility for more mergers by pushing the boundaries of what is possible. It will not only spark telecommunications, mobile and Internet-related mergers, but also fuel more hostile deals in...